British phrases - Page 3

lumberjim · 11-11-2006, 12:29 PM

I should do.

seems out of order when first you hear it. or missing the 'it'..got used to it from my english friend , .......Tim?

you know much that is hidden, o' Tim.

limey · 11-11-2006, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monster

Here's some for you to be going on with:

Up the duff
Three sheets to the wind (I think that's British)
The dog's bollocks

[translator]Up the duff, to have one up the duff - to be with child
Three sheets to the wind - to have overimbibed the alcoholic stuff
The dog's bollocks - something very good indeed [/translator]

xoxoxoBruce · 11-11-2006, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

http://www.cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk/

Quote:

Slang .................................English
How d'ya Likey......................Pikey

Oh great, what the hell does Pikey mean?

sproglet · 11-11-2006, 04:23 PM

Pikey is a Gypsy or more commonly these days a scumbag twat with limited or no education who spends their days getting pissed/stoned and being a general annoyance (trailer trash I suppose)

Three sheets to the wind is an interesting one, it does imply a pissed condition but it dates back to the Royal Navy days when sails needed to be constantly adjusted depending on the wind conditions. If the crew were busy getting pissed below deck instead of seeing to the rigging, then the sails could flap aimlessly in the wind hence the term three sheets to the wind.

Trilby · 11-11-2006, 04:25 PM

Why are Gypsies given such short shift?

sproglet · 11-11-2006, 04:28 PM

It's a British disease, we like to feel permanently superior.

To elaborate, Pikey was originally a London term for Gypsy, but it has recently developed into a generic term for scumbag unfortunately.

Trilby · 11-11-2006, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sproglet

It's a British disease, we like to feel permanently superior.

Ah! I know that disease well!

we all think we are special, don't we?

sproglet · 11-11-2006, 04:33 PM

Ah, but there's a subtle difference between thinking and knowing.

xoxoxoBruce · 11-11-2006, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sproglet

Pikey is a Gypsy or more commonly these days a scumbag twat with limited or no education who spends their days getting pissed/stoned and being a general annoyance (trailer trash I suppose)

Ah, thank you.

Quote:

Three sheets to the wind is an interesting one, it does imply a pissed condition but it dates back to the Royal Navy days when sails needed to be constantly adjusted depending on the wind conditions. If the crew were busy getting pissed below deck instead of seeing to the rigging, then the sails could flap aimlessly in the wind hence the term three sheets to the wind.

A common term in New England as far back as I can remember.

Trilby · 11-11-2006, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sproglet

Ah, but there's a subtle difference between thinking and knowing.

That-sproglet-is very, VERY good stuff. May I have the courtesy? Only a true Brit would think in those terms (you must, really, forgive Americans, because they are completly without an inheritant class system, a system you Admirable Brits have cleverly devised and we Yanks have continually ignored)...and continue to follow no matter what. Bully for you.

I think many, many Americans (if I may so present them, bandits as they are) would be only too glad to help you 'remember' the differance betx "thinking" and "knowing"

monster · 11-11-2006, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by limey

[translator]Up the duff, to have one up the duff - to be with child
Three sheets to the wind - to have overimbibed the alcoholic stuff
The dog's bollocks - something very good indeed [/translator]

erm, it's cheating if you are a Brit....

monster · 11-11-2006, 08:43 PM

Sproglet and Sprogs. Not sure if those terms are used elsewhere. Any Brits remember "Sprog-bashing Day"? Was it just a Northern thing?

I always refer to my offspring as the Sprogs. It words great in the stores/playgrounds -I yell sprogs and they know I mean them, no-one else thinks it means them, no need to waste time saying each name

DanaC · 11-12-2006, 03:54 AM

Quote:

To elaborate, Pikey was originally a London term for Gypsy, but it has recently developed into a generic term for scumbag unfortunately.

I always thought 'Pikey' referred in particular to Irish gypsies as opposed to Romany gypsies? Maybe that's just how it ended up being used up here in the North.

"Shine on", used to add emphasis to a sentence, or as a mild emphatic statement on its own. "Shine on, I haven't seen one o'them in years".

Do you guys have 'pubcrawls'?

Sundae · 11-12-2006, 06:37 AM

Not sure if Blimey and Crikey are used worldwide - for surprise
and Pants for irritation

Jeanie Mac for surprise/ frustration too, but I suspect that's Irish

I say "Up the stick" for pregnant, if it's to comic effect.

I'll say Cheers when I get off the bus - so it's Goodbye and Thank You combined in that case

Using Trouble affectionately is possibly British too - I'll say to my cats, "What are you up to, Trouble?"

It's actually tricky to work out what is British and what isn't, until someone picks you up on it!

DanaC · 11-12-2006, 06:39 AM

Quote:

It's actually tricky to work out what is British and what isn't, until someone picks you up on it!

Certainly is. I never realised 'fortnight' was a Britishism

11-11-2006, 12:29 PM	#31
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	I should do. seems out of order when first you hear it. or missing the 'it'..got used to it from my english friend , .......Tim? you know much that is hidden, o' Tim. __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

11-11-2006, 04:25 PM	#35
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	Why are Gypsies given such short shift? __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

11-11-2006, 08:43 PM	#42
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Sproglet and Sprogs. Not sure if those terms are used elsewhere. Any Brits remember "Sprog-bashing Day"? Was it just a Northern thing? I always refer to my offspring as the Sprogs. It words great in the stores/playgrounds -I yell sprogs and they know I mean them, no-one else thinks it means them, no need to waste time saying each name __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

11-12-2006, 06:37 AM	#44
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Not sure if Blimey and Crikey are used worldwide - for surprise and Pants for irritation Jeanie Mac for surprise/ frustration too, but I suspect that's Irish I say "Up the stick" for pregnant, if it's to comic effect. I'll say Cheers when I get off the bus - so it's Goodbye and Thank You combined in that case Using Trouble affectionately is possibly British too - I'll say to my cats, "What are you up to, Trouble?" It's actually tricky to work out what is British and what isn't, until someone picks you up on it! __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

11-11-2006, 04:23 PM	#34
sproglet small in a big way. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The British Empire Posts: 94	Pikey is a Gypsy or more commonly these days a scumbag twat with limited or no education who spends their days getting pissed/stoned and being a general annoyance (trailer trash I suppose) Three sheets to the wind is an interesting one, it does imply a pissed condition but it dates back to the Royal Navy days when sails needed to be constantly adjusted depending on the wind conditions. If the crew were busy getting pissed below deck instead of seeing to the rigging, then the sails could flap aimlessly in the wind hence the term three sheets to the wind.

11-11-2006, 04:28 PM	#36
sproglet small in a big way. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The British Empire Posts: 94	It's a British disease, we like to feel permanently superior. To elaborate, Pikey was originally a London term for Gypsy, but it has recently developed into a generic term for scumbag unfortunately.

11-11-2006, 04:33 PM	#38
sproglet small in a big way. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The British Empire Posts: 94	Ah, but there's a subtle difference between thinking and knowing.

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